Complete stickless, stapleless chick box



Oct. 27, 1942.

K. c. FERGUSON 2,299,812 COMPLETE STICKLESS STAPLELESS CHVICK BOX Filed April 13,' 1940 s sheets-sheet 1` ','Q c 0,52 f3 @'Q' wl,

"TQ/47 INVENTOR.'

Oct. 27, 1942. K, Q FERGUSQN Y 2,299,812

GOMPLTE STICKLESS STAPLELESS CHICK BOX Filed April 15, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 `Patented er. 27, 1942l UNITED` STATE Kenneth C. Ferguson, Indianapolis; Ind., assigner manner wellknown in the industry.

to Anderson Box Company, Indianapolis, Ind.,

.a corporation Application April 13, 1940, Serial No.` 329,438

` (ol. 22e-L15) l mately 1/2" in diameter and that the desired ir claims. This invention` relates to a complete stickless,

stapleless chick box which may be made of any suitable paper boardmaterial but as is now comnumber of these may be readily removed from the `supporting portion by merely applying nger mon in the industry, corrugated paper board is preferred and unless otherwise specified, it may be assumed that the box structure is of corrugated l material.

`The chief object of the invention is to provide 'a `chick box and the like, of the general character indicated, wherein the same may be readily set `up or fabricated in a box formation and arrange-` ment without requiring the use of any staples or like materials of anchorage common to the in.-

. dustry.

Another object of the invention is to provide a chick box, and the like, with meansfor prevent-` ingthe chicks from huddling in the remote corners so that loss of body heat as well as smothering is reduced to a minimum..

l Another object of the invention is to provide an. arrangement whereby the resulting box structures will readily stackone upon the other, even though slightly misplaced horizontally as to verpressure thereto, it being understood that in the wintertime for chick shipment a relatively smaller number of such openings are effected while inV the summertime a .correspondingly larger number of openings are eected, `and that when more chicks are being shipped thatl a larger number of openings willbe provided than when a smaller number are being shipped.

Other objects .and features `of the invention will be set forth more fully hereinafter.

tical alignment and yet will be so supported that there will be formed a resulting space between the top oi the cover of the lower box and the bottom of the upper box superposed thereon. This is to provide top ventilation through the `cover in a Another and important objectof the invention isto provide a partition arrangement and so associate the same with the walls of the box that the partitions and'walls are positively interlocked and all without stitching or stapling.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cover structure which requires no stitching or stapling to fabricate the same and which when associated with the box body is so arranged that the immediate upper portion of the exteriorly projecting` portion of the partition anchorage arrangement is included within the cover rim and friction contact therebetween also serves to hol the cover in place on thelbox. l

` The chief feature of the `invention consists in forming `a chick box, or the like, whereby the aforesaid primary objects are accomplished and which chick box in addition thereto accomplishes other features highly desirable and well known in the industry, and which will be pointed out more fully hereinafter. i

It isto be noted that for clearness` that customary Ventilating knock-outs are not illustrated,

The full nature of the invention will beunderstood from the accompanying drawings and the following description and claims:

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the box blank forming the main portion of the box structure, a portion being broken away.`

Fig. 1A isa corresponding broken away portion and of a modined-form of construction.

Fig.- 2 is a developed plan view of a blank utilized for wall locking purposes, for corner blocking purposes, and `for ventilation space providing 'purposes between chick boxes when in stacked relation.

Fig. 2A is asimilar view of a modified form of such member and is utilized with the form of the invention shown in Fig. 1A.` l

Fig. 3 is a developed plan view of one of the intersecting partitions.

Fig. 4 is a similar view of the other of the intersecting partitions.

Fig. 5 is a developed plan structure, the same being shown as adapted for topventilation purposes when the box is utilized for stacking purposes.

it being understood that it is customary to semidie out the several walls and the cover top as well as the partitions, if desired, with circles approxi-` shown in Fig. 8.

` Flg..6 is a perspective view ofthe corner Aof thebox structure with cover removed, looking down into the 'corner from the top and of the form of the invention shownin Figs. 1 and- 2.

Fig. 'lisa top plan view of acorresponding corner of a box of the formoi'vthe invention shown in FigfG. p s

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the corner of the box structure, with cover removed, looking `down into theA corner from the top and or the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1A and 2A.

Fig. 9 is4 a top plan viewof a corresponding corner of a box of the form of the invention Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a covered box adapted for Ventilating type stacking purposes,

lview `of the cover and: of the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2. A

Fig. ll is a perspective view of a portion of the box-partition interlock arrangement.

Fig. 12 is a vertical sectional view of the same.

In Fig. 1 of the drawings there is illustrated in developed plan the blank for forming the box proper. It includes a bottom l0, two side walls hingedly connected thereto by the scorings I2, and two end walls I3 ,hingedly connected tov the bottom by the scorings I4. Medianly of each wall, in the present instance, there is provided a slot l5 that extends therethrough and extending upwardly therefrom is a median slit I0 and extending laterally of the top of the slot is the slit I1 and extending parallel thereto and at the opposite end of the slit I6 and at the top thereof is the slit I8. This forms an H-shape slit and provides two wings I9, the purpose of which will be set forth more fully hereinafter with relation to partition mounting and anchorage. Each of the four walls is provided with similar combination slot and slit arrangements.

Herein the adjacent side edges of the adjacent side and end walls are connected together by an integral formation, generally indicated by the numeral 20, and this portion 20 is provided with a diagonal score 2| extending outwardly from the junction of the two creases 2 and |4. 'I'he extreme corner of this portion 20 is cut away as at 22 and the depth thereof slightly exceeds the depth of the notch 23 providedv between the sides of the portion 20 at the connection thereof to the adjacent wall. Each side of this portion 20 other than where notched as at 23, is provided with a hinge score 24. The aforesaid a bellows type arrangement.

In the form of the invention shown in Figl,

there is provided an intermediate notch 25 extending parallel to the notch 23 and between that notch and the notch 22. All four corners of the box may be alike.v

In Fig. 1A numerals of the |00 series indicate like or corresponding parts. In this form of the invention it will be noted that the corner notching |22 is of materially greater amount. Also, it will be noted that there is provided the notch or slot |23. It also will be noted thatl in this form of the invention the slot 25 is omitted. It is to be noted that each of the corners providing entrance to the slots 23, 25 and |23 may be provides rounded, if desired, although as shown, that portion of the slot which constitutes the side edge 'of the adjacent wall is preferably not rounded.

The relieving or rounding is merely to facilitate the application of the locking member associated with a bellows fold connection.

In Fig. 2 the numeral 30 indicates two sides of the triangular locking member and the crease 3| constitutes the vertex thereof and in longitudinal 'alignment therewith is the slot 32. Members 33 are hingedly connected to adjacent members 30 by the creases 34 and the members 33 are lslotted or notched as at 35. This construction is arranged inl-tubular formation and e v:1in triangular-form as shownin Figs. 6 and 7, 'and the two portions 33 lap each other so that the slots 35 register with each other and when .in triangular or tubular formation, the slot 32 is at the vertex and the registering'slots 35 are 'positioned medianly in the base of said triangular locking structure.

When no partitions are to be utilized, the box 2 is erected by erecting all four walls so that they stand perpendicular to the body portion I0. This forces inwardly the bellows fold construction at each of the four corners and when this occurs, it will be observed that the notches 23 are positioned in the immediate corner and the two notches 25 are in registration with each other remote from the corner and in the diagonal, inwardly directed bellows fold arrangement and remote from the end thereofv as Well as remote from the corner of the box. The blank shown in Fig. 2 then is arranged in triangular formation and applied in inverted relation to this bellows fold arrangement, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7.

Thus, the sides 30 lie immediately adjacent andparallel to the adjacent walls i3 .and and the portion 20, immediately adjacent the creases 24, seats in the slot 32 and the portions of the member 20 in registration with the slots 25 and parallel to the creases 24 seat in the registering slots 35. The construction then is in locked relation, as shown more clearly in Figs. 1, 6 and 7, and the box thus is held in erected and box forming formation.

In Fig. 2A there is illustrated another form of triangular tubular locking and corner blocking member. Herein the numeral |33 indicates the base of the locking member. The portions |30 are connected to the portion |33 by the creases |34. The portions |30 are extended as indicated at |30aA and are connected thereto by the vertex registering creases |3|. The portions |30 and |30a in registration with the creases |30 are slotted as at |32. l

By referring to Fig. 8 and more particularly to Fig. 9, it will be observed that when the member shown in Fig. 2A is arranged in tubular formation, the two vslots |32 register with each other and that when the same is applied to the bellows fold-arrangement, shown in Fig. 1A when the box structure has its side walls erected as before described, the registering slots |32 accommodate the portion immediately contiguous to the creases |24 of the bellows fold |20, and then registering notches |23 accommodate the creased portions of the stock indicated by the numeral |3|. With this form of the invention as shown clearly in Figs. 8 and 9, the bellows fold arrangement is completely concealed except at the top and no part of the bellows fold arrangement projects into the interior 'of the box.

In contradistinction thereto, it will be notedsee Figs. 6 and 7-that a portion of the bellows fold portion does project into the box in the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2, but

it also is to be noted this projecting portion has an upwardly inclined lower edge/winch corresponds to the diagonal fold 2| and this is a smooth face fold. is presented so that the heads of the small chicks will not engage a rough surface.

Both forms of the invention described have this common characteristic, to-wit, a triangular. tubular member serves to lock the box when erected in box forming formation and at the same time blocks the corners to prevent the chicks from huddling therein.

It also is to be understood that this type of construction presents a minimum of rough edge stock so that the chicks have little rough surface to work upon. Since this is not a material factor and huddling in the corners is not a, material factor, particularly for boxes used in transportation in warmer climates, it is quite apparent triangular and tubular locking arrangements, there maybe provided a single angular locking arrangement wherein only the Therefore, no rough surface crease 3| forni` of` lock y form` ofvbellows fold arrangementshown in Fig. -..1A\.` Of course, it

tioned angular lockingarrangement. Y

` portions 3l, seeFig. 2,* and maybe utilized [andthat thisangular` the not u with me then could be utilized with the would serve equally as well `with the `corner formation "shown inFig. 1 so that the box manuiacturerto supply bothl northern i i and southern customers could fabricate the box blank as shown in Fig. 1 Iand utilize thelast men- `When` corner blocking is desired, the form o! `the invention shown;` iniFlg. 1A `can `be utilized g or the lock' in Figs. 2 and 2A. `Il! 'corner maybe utilized interchangeably with either box i blank insofar as locking purposes are concerned.

" the like, with transverse,

i although ythere may l Airl the partition |40 walls are perpen to provide chick boxes, and

opposed slot, intersectthere usually are two. be `more or'but` one employed., A conventional chick box,` however, includes two partitions forming iour compartments and thesame general arrangement isdisi 'f 'It is customary ing partitions, o! whichrclosed herein. one partition is illustrated `iii Fig.

3. The corresponding partitionis illustratedin having been bent angularly tothe partition prop er in this operation, the partition may be dropped so'that its lower end engages the base'or bottom Il.

When that occurs, it will be` noted that the portion of the wall below the slot Il seats in the registering notches 49-4-50, see Figs. 11` and 12,

thus positively locking the partition in place.

" sions-43` and 44 lie parallel` to the Fig. fi, since the two partitions are substantially Y alike with an exception, although both may be alike except for dimensions. .i Reference now `will be had to Fig.3 which is the simplest iorm of partition. Herein the numeral 40 indicatesthe body portionv of the partition` provided with a central slot 4|, which is herein shown downwardly directed and medianly positioned.` `The end -oi the partition proper is indicated at 42.` .There are twofflaps, however, 43 and 44 at each` end and the same are connectedf by hinge scores at The portion intermediate thetwo extensions 43 and 44 is indicated generally by the numeral 45.

It is connected to portion 40 in alignmentwithl hinge crease 42` and" includes` a parallel. multiple crease 46, forming two that portion 41 may be returned upon portion 4i and lieparallel thereto, portion 4l adlacent and in alignment with the crease notched as at49 and portion 41 is slotted or notched as at l0.` When portion 41 is returned upon portion 4B, the two notches or slots 49 and 50 register. Y

Reference now will be had to Fig. 4 wherein numerals of the 100 series similar to numerals of the primary series in Fig.`3 are utilized. Herehas the median slot |4| evi'- tendlng upwardly from the bottom, thus being reversedjin position with respect to the "slot 4| in the partition 4BV so that the two partitions may be interiltted in a well known manner. Herein partition"` |40 includes an upward extension Ill which slit asat |52 forming tongue portions at each end, as ifdicated at |53. These tongue portion may be t angularly ofthe body portin lil and servefor cover locking purposes 42 is slotted or when portion ISL/is projected througha" regisportions 41 and 4l. So

and at `the same time.` the. two

Thereafter slight lingerv pressure on thertwooutwardly directed` wings |`9 will turn them to` coplanar relationship with` the wing including wall, as shownflnligse4 11 and 12.`

The cover construction is shown more partie ularly in'Flgs. 5. and 10. It` includes a top portion lo and two rim forming side portions il; at QPpvsite Each of the rim forming portions 6| includes the nap extensions 65` at `their side edges, the samebeing connected thereto bythe hinge scores p 6I'. The rim forming` connected thereto 4scorings. 0I. Each` plurality of spaced top portion 6B adiacent` theretois correspondingly of these portions G1 0 slotted` as at 10. The cover also is provided with an elongated slot 1|, it the partition |401 includes the upwardly directed portion III.

The cover is erected by first turning the rim portions 6I upwardly andv then turning inwardly toward each other after, the rim forming 42fto the portion 40,.

lie outside of `the I1, the tongues Biseatvin 60. when the cover is mounted on 65 yiore, serve as cover slot 1| the additional lockinglarrangementso `that `,a

overall height 4|) and |40 are associated/together in rectangular relationship and positioned above the bottom Il. Then one pair f parallel walls is erected and in 70.. angular recesses the erection the return bend portion 41-48 passes through the slot Il j dat the same time forces outwardly the' adi ent winsslL `When the uur, the portions ll and Il the `ilap extensions $5 so that the same lie perpendicular to the supporting rim portion and perpendicular portions 02 are turned upwardly at right angles to the top portion so as to inturned flaps 65 and then the portions 81 on said rim portions 62 are turned downwardly and toward the portions $2, thereby nestingn between the' two portions the included ilaps l5. In the final movement of the portions thus ,completing the peripheral rim formation and providing the cover structure. y

When the cover isadapted for partition lock and retention, the portion I5| on. partition ith, the box extends through slots 1|, and the' portions "Iiisee Fig, 4--of the` portion ISI the plane of portion lil and along the line |55, all as shown `in Fig. 10. The portions |53, therey locksi or retainers. I! deslred, partition 40 may an upstanding arrangement similarly fashioned, as illustrated in Flg.*4, and in that event, there would be another slot ,providedl at right angles to and thus` said` secondslot would receive multiplicity o! cover locksfmaybe provided. y

As shown in Figs. 2andf2A, as wellaslligs. 6, 8 and 10, the corneriloclrlng'` elements have an greater than `that of the'box wall height so that they project an appreciable disi tancel abovethe box, for example, approximately .1" vor more.V Flor cover :creme `tim' w accordingly, is provided with tri- 12 ,adiacentjthe` `corners oi the cover so that theupwardl'y extending triangular v tubular portions may project therethrough when the cover is mounted upon the boxand the lower face ofthe top bears upon the upper edge o! the box wall arrangerrlerit.i,` 4'Ihese triangular, up-

wings or extenadjacent; wall.

be suiiicient to resides and two intermediate rim formf ing side portions G2, the portionsbeing; hingedly i portions 42 have hingedly portions G1 and by the crease@ include a projecting tongues. and the n to the top 6|). "Thereand lock in slots 10,

maybe folded angularly of be similarly provided with seating purposes, therewardly projecting portions exposed above the plane of the topsee Fig. 7-constitute spacers cover to the bottom of the box, the air escaping-see Fig. 6into the box interior through the slots 35.

Whenever desired, the top edge of 30 and |30 in Figs. 6 and 7 may be relieved for Ventilating when the box is stacked. Numeral |35 in Fig. 8 indicates an opening equivalent to slot 35 in Fig. 6.

. It, of course, will be apparent that the locking members need not project above the plane of the upper edge of the box wall arrangement and in l that event, the cover illustrated in Figs. and 7 would not be provided with the triangular corner openings 12. Y

A further feature of the invention will be noted from an examination of Fig. 12. Therein itwill be observed that the upper edge of the return bend portions "-48 of the partitions is at an of the lower edge 68 of the rim 62-61 so that the rim insofar as the multiple thickness end is concerned is constrained toward locked relation by said exteriorly projecting portions 41-48 of the partition.

From the foregoing it will be observed that the entire box structure Without the employmentof any stitching, taping or stapling.

'I'he invention claimed is: 1. A covered, stickless, stapieless chick box structure, including separable box and cover structures, the cover structure including a top forming portion, a `rim portion integral with each edge o1' the top portion and arranged fo'r transend torn in said box staple addition.

2. A chick box structure characterized by the addition of partition means extending from one wall of the box to an opposite Wall, the ends of said partition means inintegral portions interlockingly associformation without requiring 3. A chick box structure as dened by claim l, characterized by the addition of verse relation and in forcing the box corner.

5. In a chick box 6. In a chick box and the like, the combinablank including a bottom and side and walls, the walls being integral with the botas dened by claim 1,

' providing a second locking tom, each wall having a locking angular portion at each side edge, the walls when transverse to each other and the bottom forming a box and having the angular portions extending diagonally inwardly, and an angular corner nestable locking member for each resulting box corner, each member and adjacent angular portion having complementary slots therein for interlocking association for locking the adjacent walls together in transverse relation and in box formation and reenforcing the box corner, the junction between each angular locking portion and the supporting wall therefor being slotted and the vertex of the triangular tubular formation including a slot, the base of the triangular tubular portion also being slotted and the adjacent locking angular portions intermediate the junction slot and the free end thereof also including a slot, the last mentioned slot registering with and being complementary to the base slot for providing a.l second locking connection between the angular portions and the triangular tubular locking member.

7. In a chick box and the like, the combination of a blank including a bottom and side and end walls, the walls being integral with the bottom, each wall having a locking angular portion at each side edge, each other and the bottom forming a box and having the angular portions extending diagonally inwardly, and an angular corner nestable locking member for each "resulting box corner, each member and adjacent angular portion having complementary slots therein for interlocking association for locking the adjacent walls together in transverse relation and in box formation and reentorcing the box corner, the angular locking member being substantially triangular in cross sectional outline, the vertex of the resulting triangular tubular formation being coincident with the box corner and the base of the triangular tubular formation extending across the corner to prevent chick huddling in the corner, the base portion of the triangulartubular formation substantially concealing the diagonally inwardly directed angular locking portions and bracing the adjacent walls.

8. in a chick box and the like, the combination of a blank including a bottom and side and end walls, the walls being integral with the bottorn, each wall having a locking angular portion at each side edge, the walls when transverse to each other and the bottom forming a box and having Athe angular portions extending diagonally inwardly, and an angular corner nestable locking member for each resulting box corner,

i each member and adjacent angular portion having complementary slots therein for interlocking association for locking the adjacent walls together in transverse relation and in box formation and reenfo'rcing Y tion between each angular locking portion and the `supporting wall therefor being slotted and the'vertex of the triangular tubular formation the walls when transverse to rected upwardly and inwardly in the box and projecting inwardly into the box beyond the base of the triangular tubular formation.

9. In a chick box and the like, the combination of a blank including a bottom and side and end walls, the walls Abeing integral with the bottom, each wall having a locking angular portion at each side edge, the walls when transverse to each other and the bottom forming a box and having the angular portions extending diagonally inwardly, and an angular corner nestable locking member or each resulting box corner, each member and adjacent angular portion having complementary slots therein for interlocking association for locking the adjacent Walls together in transverse relation and in box formation and reenforcing the box corner, the angular locking member being substantially triangular in cross sectional outline, the vertex ofthe resulting triangular tubular formation being coincident with the box corner and the base of the triangular tubular formation extending across the corner to prevent chick huddling in the corner, each triangular tubular portion being of roll-up type and including at leastfour sequentially connected portions, at least two of which have lapping association.

10. In a chick box and the like, the combination of a blank including a bottom and side and end walls, the walls being integral with the bottom, each wall having a locking angular portion at each side edge, the walls when transverse to each other and the bottom forming a box and having the angular portions extending diagonally inwardly, and an angular corner nestable locking member for each resulting box corner, each member and adjacent angular portion having complementary slots therein for interlocking association for locking the adjacent walls together in transverse relation and in box formation and reenforcing the box corner, the angular locking member being substantially triangular in cross tional outline, the vertex of the resulting Atriangular tubular formation being coincident with the box corner and the base of the triangular tubular formation extending across the corner to prevent chick huddling in the corner, each triangular tubular portion being of roll-up type and including at least five sequentially connect-4 ed portions of which at least four are arranged in pairs and have lapping association.

1l. In a chick box and the like, the combination of a blank including a bottom and side and end walls, `the walls being integral with the' bottom, each wall having a looking angular portion at each side edge, the walls when transverse to each other and the bottom forming a box and having the angular portions extending diagonally inwardly, `and an angular corner nestable lockthe box corner, the junc- .6

including a slot, the base of the triangular tubular portion also being slotted and the adjacent locking angular portions intermediate the junction slot and the free end thereof also including a slot, thelast mentioned slot registering with and being complementary connection between the angular portions and the triangular tubular locking member, the adjacent angular locking portions being integral with each other and providing a bellows fold, the fold thereof being dlto the base slot for ing member for each resulting box corner, each Y member and adjacent angular portionhaving complementary slots therein for interlocking association for locking the adjacent walls together in. transverse relation and in v box formation and reenforcing the box corner,

the angular locking member being substantially triangular in cross sectional outline, the vertex of the resulting triangular tubular formation being coincident with the box corner and the base of the triangular tubularfolmation extending across the corner to prevent chick huddling in the corner, the base portion of the triangular tubular structure belng` apertured for box interior ventilation through the tubular formation.

KENNETH C. FERGUSON. 

